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Voluntary transfer to WRAG from SG?
4 years 8 months ago #250626 by acrimoniousone
Voluntary transfer to WRAG from SG? was created by acrimoniousone
Hello 
I have been in the Support Group (SG) of Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) for around four years after losing my NHS job due to mental health issues.
I am now looking to return to employment for the sake of my mental health and relationship with my kids who are a long way away. After this length of abscence an employer generally wants to see voluntary work progressing to part time work before considering a full time post.
I have had a couple of interviews where I scored well but the recruiting manager had real concerns about jumping from nothing to full time with my history which is fair enough.
Unfortunately voluntary work has taken a big hit due to COVID and is hard to find. I am concerned that a part time job would be a problem as it would leave me worse off financially than staying where I am. On top of this I have been iffy about applying for Permitted Work (PW) as I expect it would trigger the feared reassessment.
If I am comitted to returning first to work then theoretically to my professional career would it be advantageous to request a transfer to WRAG? It's the one way nature of it that is my concern - i.e. if my best laid plans go wrong and my mental health crashes again I would be unable to go back to SG.
I am feeling great and really positive at the moment - but this can also be due to my condition. It can go the other way quickly which is an obvious source of anxiety but if I never do anything I won't get anywhere.
Can someone who is familiar with the process advise me if WRAG is likely to be a source of support or more stress? I am legacy ESA and understand I will receive the same rate but will I lose the additional disability premium as a result?
I have searched at length on this but have been unable to find an answer online. Any advice would be super appreciated.
I have been in the Support Group (SG) of Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) for around four years after losing my NHS job due to mental health issues.
I am now looking to return to employment for the sake of my mental health and relationship with my kids who are a long way away. After this length of abscence an employer generally wants to see voluntary work progressing to part time work before considering a full time post.
I have had a couple of interviews where I scored well but the recruiting manager had real concerns about jumping from nothing to full time with my history which is fair enough.
Unfortunately voluntary work has taken a big hit due to COVID and is hard to find. I am concerned that a part time job would be a problem as it would leave me worse off financially than staying where I am. On top of this I have been iffy about applying for Permitted Work (PW) as I expect it would trigger the feared reassessment.
If I am comitted to returning first to work then theoretically to my professional career would it be advantageous to request a transfer to WRAG? It's the one way nature of it that is my concern - i.e. if my best laid plans go wrong and my mental health crashes again I would be unable to go back to SG.
I am feeling great and really positive at the moment - but this can also be due to my condition. It can go the other way quickly which is an obvious source of anxiety but if I never do anything I won't get anywhere.
Can someone who is familiar with the process advise me if WRAG is likely to be a source of support or more stress? I am legacy ESA and understand I will receive the same rate but will I lose the additional disability premium as a result?
I have searched at length on this but have been unable to find an answer online. Any advice would be super appreciated.
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